LEARNING ABOUT CRIME - THE JAPANESE EXPERIENCE

• NCJ Number: 40524
• Journal: Public Interest Issue: 44 Dated: (SUMMER 1976) Pages: 55-68
• Author(s): D H BAYLEY
• Date Published: 1976
• Length: 14 pages
• Corporate Author: National Affairs, Inc
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Survey (Cross-Cultural)
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

ALTHOUGH JAPAN IS SIMILAR TO THE U.S. IN AFFLUENCE, INDUSTRIALIZATION, AND URBANIZATION, THE INCIDENCE OF CRIMINALITY IN JAPAN IS A FRACTION OF THE RATE IN AMERICA.

Abstract

THE AUTHOR REVIEWS THE EXTENT AND EXPLANATION OF THE DISPARITY IN THE CRIME RATES BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES. ALTHOUGH THE POPULATION IS TEN TIMES MORE DENSE, THE SENTENCES MORE LENIENT, AND THE POLICE FEWER IN JAPAN, THEIR CRIME RATE IS LESS THAN ONE-TENTH OF THAT IN AMERICA. THE KEY TO SOCIAL DISCIPLINE IN JAPAN LIES IN THE GREATER INFLUENCE OF INFORMAL CONTROLS OVER INDIVIDUALS. THE ARTICLE CONCLUDES THAT THE JAPANESE INFORMAL NORMATIVE SYSTEM HAS THREE INTERLOCKING FEATURES THAT CONTRAST SHARPLY WITH AMERICAN SOCIAL PRACTICES: THE VITALITY OF INFORMAL GROUPS, THE LEGITIMACY OF AUTHORITY, AND THE ASSUMPTION OF RESPONSIBILITY FOR MAINTAINING SOCIAL ORDER BY INFORMAL GROUPS....MSP